Douglas Luiz is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. Born on May 9, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Luiz began his football career at Vasco da Gama, one of Brazil’s most successful clubs. He quickly caught the eye of Manchester City, who signed him in 2017.
Despite his talent, Luiz struggled to secure a work permit, which meant he was unable to play for Manchester City. As a result, he was loaned out to Girona twice, where he gained valuable experience playing in La Liga. In 2019, Aston Villa signed Luiz, and he has since become an integral part of their midfield.
Key Takeaways
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- Douglas Luiz is a Brazilian midfielder who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League.
- He began his career at Vasco da Gama and was signed by Manchester City in 2017 but struggled to secure a work permit.
- After loan spells at Girona, he signed for Aston Villa in 2019 and has become an important player for them in midfield.
Early Life and Career
Youth Career
Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo was born on May 9, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his youth career at Vasco da Gama, one of the most successful clubs in Brazil. Luiz played as a midfielder and quickly showed his potential. He progressed through the ranks at Vasco da Gama and was eventually promoted to the first team in 2016.
Professional Debut
Luiz made his professional debut for Vasco da Gama in 2017. He played in the Campeonato Carioca, the state championship of Rio de Janeiro. He impressed in his debut season and was named the Best Young Player of the tournament.
In the summer of 2017, Manchester City signed Luiz on a five-year deal. However, he was unable to secure a work permit to play in England, and as a result, he was loaned out to Girona, a Spanish club that was also owned by Manchester City. Luiz spent two seasons on loan at Girona and played regularly in La Liga.
In July 2019, Aston Villa signed Luiz for a reported fee of £15 million. Luiz made his Premier League debut on August 10, 2019, in a match against Tottenham Hotspur. He played a key role in Aston Villa’s survival in the 2019-20 season, making 41 appearances in all competitions.
Luiz has also represented Brazil at various youth levels and was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Club Career
Time at Vasco da Gama
Douglas Luiz began his club career at Vasco da Gama, one of the most successful clubs in Brazil. He joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 10 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a regular in the first team. During his time at Vasco da Gama, Douglas Luiz showcased his exceptional technical skills and impressive work rate, which earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young talents in Brazil.
Move to Europe
In 2017, Douglas Luiz signed for Manchester City in a deal worth around £10m. However, he was unable to secure a work permit to play in the United Kingdom and was subsequently loaned out to La Liga side Girona twice. During his time in Spain, Douglas Luiz continued to impress, showcasing his ability to dictate the tempo of the game and his impressive range of passing.
Aston Villa Tenure
In July 2019, Aston Villa signed Douglas Luiz for a fee of around £15m, making him the club’s third most expensive signing at the time. Since joining the club, Douglas Luiz has established himself as a key player in the midfield, thanks to his ability to break up opposition attacks and launch counter-attacks. He has also contributed to the team’s attacking play, scoring a number of important goals and providing several assists.
During the 2021-22 season, Douglas Luiz played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they were eventually knocked out by Liverpool. He also helped the club secure a top-half finish in the Premier League, finishing the season with two goals and three assists in 37 appearances.
Overall, Douglas Luiz’s club career has been marked by his exceptional technical ability, impressive work rate, and his ability to contribute to both attacking and defensive play.
International Career
Brazil U20 and U23
Douglas Luiz has represented Brazil at the youth level, featuring in the 2017 South American U-20 Championship and the 2019 Toulon Tournament, where he helped Brazil win the latter. He was a key player in the squad and played in all the matches. He was praised for his performances in the tournament and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Senior Team Appearances
Douglas Luiz made his senior international debut for Brazil on September 5, 2019, in a friendly match against Colombia. He was called up to the Brazil squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2021, but did not feature in any of the matches. As of June 2024, he has made 10 appearances for the senior team.
During his international career, Douglas Luiz has shown his versatility by playing in different positions, including central midfield and defensive midfield. He has also demonstrated his ability to play at the highest level and has been praised for his technical skills, vision, and passing ability.
Playing Style and Position
Midfield Role
Douglas Luiz is a versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of positions. He is primarily a defensive midfielder, but he can also play as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder. His ability to play in different positions makes him an asset to any team.
As a defensive midfielder, Douglas Luiz is responsible for breaking up opposition attacks, intercepting passes, and protecting the backline. He is also comfortable in possession and can start attacks from deep positions. As a central midfielder, he can dictate the tempo of the game and create chances for his teammates. As an attacking midfielder, he can make late runs into the box and score goals.
Skills and Attributes
Douglas Luiz possesses a wide range of skills and attributes that make him an effective midfielder. He has excellent vision and passing ability, which allows him to create chances for his teammates. He is also comfortable in possession and can retain the ball under pressure.
Defensively, Douglas Luiz is strong in the tackle and can win back possession for his team. He is also good at intercepting passes and reading the game. His physical attributes are also impressive, as he is quick and agile, which allows him to cover ground quickly and make tackles.
Overall, Douglas Luiz is a well-rounded midfielder who can contribute to both attacking and defensive phases of the game. His versatility and skillset make him a valuable asset to any team he plays for.
Personal Life
Douglas Luiz is a Brazilian footballer who maintains a high level of privacy regarding his personal life. There is little information accessible regarding his personal life, but it is known that he was born on May 9, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Luiz is known to be a family-oriented person and is very close to his parents and siblings. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Although there is no information available regarding his relationship status, it is known that he keeps his personal life separate from his professional life.
Luiz is also known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved in several charity events and has donated money to various organizations. In 2020, he donated money to the Brazilian Red Cross to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, Douglas Luiz is a private person who values his personal life and keeps it separate from his professional life. His philanthropic work shows that he is also dedicated to giving back to his community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Douglas Luiz typically play on the field?
Douglas Luiz is a versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of positions, including central midfield, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield. He is known for his excellent passing ability, vision, and tactical awareness.
How has Douglas Luiz’s style of play evolved over his career?
Over the course of his career, Douglas Luiz has developed into a dynamic and versatile midfielder who is equally comfortable in both attacking and defensive roles. He has improved his physicality, his ability to read the game, and his tactical awareness, making him a valuable asset for any team.
What are the latest statistics for Douglas Luiz in the current season?
As of the current season, Douglas Luiz has made 32 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. He has an impressive passing accuracy of 86.1%, has won 48% of his duels, and has made 51 interceptions.
What is the latest transfer news involving Douglas Luiz?
As of now, there is no news regarding Douglas Luiz’s transfer to any other club. However, he has been linked with a move to several top European clubs, including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
What is Douglas Luiz’s height and weight?
Douglas Luiz is 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs 148 lbs (67 kg).
How many international caps does Douglas Luiz have with Brazil?
Douglas Luiz has represented the Brazilian national team at various youth levels. He has made 4 appearances for the senior team, scoring one goal.
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